Video: Medicare RVU Cuts Reduce Glaucoma Reimbursement

At AGS 2026, Andrew Pouw, MD, explained how changes to practice expense and work RVUs significantly lower Medicare reimbursement for surgeons.

By: Andrew Pouw, MD

Glaucoma Physician February 22, 2026

5 Key Takeaways

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Medicare announced significant changes to the physician fee schedule for 2026, impacting glaucoma surgeons' reimbursements.
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The changes include a 10% to 14% reduction in practice expense RVUs for surgical facilities, affecting glaucoma surgeries.
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A 2.5% reduction in work RVUs for procedural and diagnostic testing will further decrease reimbursement for glaucoma-related services.
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Surgeons are site-locked and unable to benefit from RVU boosts available to private offices, exacerbating reimbursement challenges.
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An awareness campaign is underway to support House Resolution 7520, aimed at preventing further cuts to work RVUs and protecting patient care.

Andrew Pouw, MD

Specialties: Ophthalmology

Bio: Andrew Pouw, MD, is a glaucoma surgeon whose work includes analysis of Medicare policy developments affecting ophthalmic surgical and diagnostic reimbursement. At the 2026 American Glaucoma Society Meeting in Rancho Mirage, California, he presented on changes to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services physician fee schedule, including reductions in practice expense RVUs and work RVUs that affect glaucoma surgery, perimetry, OCT, and fundus photography.

PentaVision

Glaucoma Physician

Video: Medicare RVU Cuts Reduce Glaucoma Reimbursement

5 Key Takeaways

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